Texas lawmakers advance a statewide THC ban while a local business owner pushes for the regulation of hemp-derived products over prohibition.
DENTON, Texas — The Texas Legislature is moving forward with a bill to ban hemp-derived THC products during the current special session, after Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed similar legislation in June.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 5 on Friday, sending it to the House for consideration. The measure would prohibit hemp-derived products containing any amount of THC, targeting what some lawmakers describe as a loophole in current regulations.
The renewed push comes amid concerns about THC products reaching children and unregulated businesses operating in legal gray areas.
Business owner advocates for regulation over ban
Wyatt Larew, CEO of Wyatt Purp, a retailer and manufacturer, supports the governor’s call for regulation rather than an outright ban. His business requires customers to be 21 or older and keeps THC products behind locked doors accessible only after ID verification.
“It meets the definitions under the Controlled Substances Act, which allowed me access to the banking system and international commerce,” Larew said, describing his products as legal under state and federal law.
Larew said he has spent five years self-regulating what he believes are safe, natural products, going beyond current legal requirements. He keeps all THC products secured and properly labeled, measures that he said exceed what’s mandated.
“Bad actors can legally be bad because they refuse to regulate,” Larew said, acknowledging problematic businesses in the industry while arguing for oversight rather than prohibition.
Senators cite child safety concerns
State Sen. Cesar Blanco, District 29, expressed concern about marketing tactics used by some THC product sellers.
“They’re being marketed as snacks, as candy, packaged as candy, and designed to look harmless. Members, that’s predatory,” Blanco said during special session proceedings.
Sen. Charles Perry, the sponsor of SB5, defended the ban as enforcement of existing law rather than new criminalization.
“I’m not criminalizing something. This is already illegal,” Perry said.
The legislation is designed to target pop-up smoke shops and unregulated retailers, but business owners like Larew said a blanket ban would harm legitimate operators who follow proper safety protocols.
He believes it will send all of their customers to the black market.
What’s next
The House of Representatives will now consider the measure. If passed, the ban would eliminate legal sales of low-level THC products, affecting businesses that currently operate within existing regulatory frameworks.
When asked about problematic actors in the industry, Larew agreed they exist but maintained that regulation, not prohibition, is the solution.
“One hundred percent, that’s why we need regulation,” he said.
The special session continues as lawmakers weigh the competing interests of child safety, business regulation and consumer access to hemp-derived products.